2023 road/access improvement projects affect boater traffic

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - During the 2023 summer boating season, traffic to and from the Salmon River and Middle Fork of the Salmon River will be impacted by road and access improvement projects. 

The Forest Service has been able to secure more than $12 million in funding to improve road conditions and access to public land over the next two years.

A portion of the funding comes from the Great American Outdoors Act, learn more HERE. In 2023, these projects will cause delays to and from both rivers and for one weeklong and one 10 day period, full closures will be in effect on the Boundary Creek Road (#579) and Dagger Falls Road (#468). 

Closures and delays are subject to change. Every effort will be made to communicate these changes to boaters and other users with as much advance notice as possible. The Salmon-Challis National Forest appreciates the public’s patience and understanding the short-term inconvenience these projects will cause.  In the long term, these projects will greatly benefit boater traffic and public land access. 

FULL CLOSURE PERIODS:

• Fir Creek Bridge Replacement
  • Between August 7 and August 15, a section of Boundary Creek Road #579 (between Cape Horn Summit to the intersection with the Dagger Falls Road #568) will be closed.  An alternate route to Bruce Meadows and the Boundary Boat Launch/Dagger Falls area is available via FS Road #582 from Lowman, ID.
• Boundary Creek Road Maintenance
  • A full closure of the Dagger Falls Road #568 (from Bruce Meadows to Boundary Creek) will be in place with no access to the boat launch between September 5 through September 15 for the replacement of culverts and a bridge installation.  Boaters will have to fly into the Indian Creek Launch Site or one of the other river access points downstream of Indian Creek.

WEEKDAY TEMPORARY CLOSURES:

Beginning July 10, for the remainder of the boating season, the Boundary Creek #579 and Dagger Falls #568 roads may be closed for up to five hours daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Boaters should access Boundary Creek outside of those times.  When the road is open to travel, there may be multiple delays of up to 30 minutes.  Expect to encounter construction traffic from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  Outside of the full closures, no work will take place on weekends or federal holidays.